F1 Melbourne

[Agolf 5hitstir]

Hi Everyone,

I have just recently booked my flights and tickets to the F1 in melbourne and am uber excited!

Who has been before and what are the must do's while I'm there?

[No1Slayer]

Hi,

I went last year, was a blast thinking about it again this year.

Bit of advice get money out before getting in as the cue for the atms are ridiculous.
Also ear plugs are a must if you stand at side of the track :P

What type of ticket did you get? General admission or did you get up in any of the stands?

[Agolf 5hitstir]

Thanks No1Slayer,

We got general admission, are they ok?

[No1Slayer]

General is all good, atleast you wont just sit in a stand for most of the time, you wander to find other vantage points around the track.
Some of my better photos i took were at the side of the track when you find the areas with no fence/breaks in it to get that clean shot, well if you can time it right lol ;)

You been to a F1 race before?

[Agolf 5hitstir]

No I haven't but for the 1st time last season I Tevo'd every race and got to watch them all unlike falling asleep to many times watching them live the year before:facepalm:.

:banana:I can't wait:banana:

[centralaxis]

I've been twice before, and was considering going again this year except I'm tied up with cricket finals...

First time I went general admission - used the first 3 days (don't bother going Thursday unless you really want to see the other cars race, but if you do, it's great to get right up into the supporter category paddocks) to find the best vantage point - which for us was on the exit of turn 2 on the hill and make sure you try to get there as soon as the gates open for Sunday.

Second-time round we were in the Fangio stand on the front straight opposite the pits. Was awesome to see how the teams prepare for each race, but after the start of each race it's a bit of a snooze as the cars just roar past every lap.

Anyway, as for things to do... Crown Casino is an awesome place to bum round when you've got time to kill. If you're into cafes and things, there's Laigon St. If you're into a bit of a nightlife, there's a few good places in the city - if you're dressed up enough, but there's many awesome small bars in the backstreets and laneways, always fun finding good ones. And there's also a few places around St. Kilda which are nice.

Either way, whatever you end up doing down there asides the race, you'll have an awesome time!

[russ83]

You will have a blast! Lucky!

I got the baller tickets last year, access all areas and bars ftw. Cost didn't matter, only once a year...

[MattyT]

I went in 2010 and got a 4-day turn1 grandstand pass - HAD A BALL. Its like going to a music festival but everyone is there for 1 reason only, Formula 1! Had guys sitting behind me with the rental TV things calling out timing, and sat next to two german backpackers who were great dudes and told me all about what F1 is like back in europe. Good times!

Tips:
EAR. PLUGS. Nothing will prepare you for the sound of an F1 car, but no joke they are extremely noisy. I go out most weekends to clubs and heavy metal gigs and I used to play drums, so I'm used to loud noises, but this was something far beyond any of that.
Hat, sunnies, suncream, etc. It might be Melbourne, but there aint much shade around.
Also, take a poncho (those little plastic hood things) for when (not if), it rains. It's a big no no to break out umbrellas as they'll obstruct other peoples view.

Melbourne is a great place for food and arty stuff. Lonely Planet sell a book called Melbourne Encounter, which is pocket sized and has many good things to do and see whilst your in town. Enjoy!!

[Agolf 5hitstir]

Thanks MattyT lots of good tips there.

[MattyT]

Just booked my tix today in the Moss grandstand, super excited!!

Does anyone want to meet sometme over the 4 days? I will probably skip thursday but intend to be there all day for fri, sat, and sun.

[J.T]

I went 3 years ago, only had GA tickets.. still very impressive, but if i went again I'd definitely be buying grandstand seats. I found Ga is ok for the Fri & Sat when you are mianly walking around checking things out, but on race day when you plan to stay in the one spot.. an elevated seat is a must, especially in the larger crowds where vision is limited.

[geeza]

Can't waint for this season to start! i've gone nearly every year for 10 years or so

I'll make it on the Friday with some mates for a beer session but unless i score some corporate tickets i'll watch at home

[PA.]

How much interest is there in a Formula 1 tipping game. I ran one last year but only a handful of people played.

[cru22z]

im going on a sunday with a GA ticket. Can we bring DSLR camera??

[MattyT]

Sure can. Heck, about a third of the crowd will be bringing one!

[Stiggy_21]

went today, was a great day in fangio stand:)
saw many awesome cars, shame there was no DUBS:(

here's a few crappy iphone pics

love the E30's
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/03/photo34-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/03/photo65-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/03/photo46-1.jpg
insane skyline R31
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/03/photo56-1.jpg
always love the F40's
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/09/photo1-3.jpg

[hazrd]

With talks about VW getting into the F1's you might see them around soon ;)

Glad you had a good time. Watched it on the TV today while the missus was working there in the GP advantage tent :(
Hairy stack by the V8SC's, and top form by McLaren :D

[Stiggy_21]

hopefully with VW goin to WRC soon, we might see them in other forms of motorsport:)

grown up around V8SC paddocks and now think they're s%^#!! BTCC/WTCC FTW:)
loved seeing the historics, both shannons and group A/C cars.
love the fact that both the Skyline's slaughtered all the V8's in the field, and the V8 torana's/falcons etc. were the only cars flying off the track. XJS's, sierra's and E30's.... jizzm